2 Samuel 6:21

19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD,
KJV
And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
WEB
David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before the LORD.
ASV
And David said unto Michal, [It was] before Jehovah, who chose me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Jehovah, over Israel: therefore will I play before Jehovah.
DARBY
And David said to Michal, It was before Jehovah, who chose me rather than thy father, and than all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of Jehovah, over Israel; and I played before Jehovah.
BLB
And David said to Michal, “[It was] before YHWH, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of YHWH, over Israel. And I will play before the face of YHWH.
ÅB
Da sa David til Mikal: For Herrens åsyn, han som utvalgte meg fremfor din far og fremfor hele hans hus og satte meg til fyrste over Herrens folk, over Israel - for Herrens åsyn har jeg danset;
OTB
Men David sa til Mikal, “Det var for Herrens skyld, som valgte meg framfor din far og framfor hele hans hus, for å utnevne meg til hersker over Herrens folk, over Israel; derfor vil jeg feire foran Herren!
B1930
Da sa David til Mikal: For Herrens åsyn, han som utvalgte mig fremfor din far og fremfor hele hans hus og satte mig til fyrste over Herrens folk, over Israel - for Herrens åsyn har jeg danset;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 13:22

    And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 6:16

    And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 89:19–20

    Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 13:14

    But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 15:28

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 78:70–72

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 16:1

    And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 6:14

    And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

    Read in context